Step back, JoJo

Expect typos, repeated phrases and generally illogical passages. I'm not editing this one.

After all of the lazing around I've done for the last couple of weeks, I don't feel like I deserved a step-back week, but that's what the training plan calls for so that's what I did. My adherence to the plan is funny when you consider that the only part of it I actually follow is Longrunday. All of the running throughout the week I just do whatever I want. Last week it was zero miles on Tuesday (Side note: if you have the chance to go see the Broadway version of Hitchcock's "The 39 Steps" I highly recommend it. It's a hilarious combination of Hitchcock and Monty Python that's worth the money.) and five miles on the hamster wheel on Wednesday and Thursday.

Another Saturday came where I couldn't muster up the enthusiasm to do my long run, even if it was an abbreviated long run, so I made the typical executive decision to postpone until Sunday. I had some stuff that I needed to do on Saturday anyway, and it was all dependent on other people, so it wasn't like this was a hard decision to make. I've got to get myself back onto the Saturday schedule though. It's so much more convenient than Sundays. If you don't watch college football, you don't have to schedule around it.

I got up bright and early on Sunday morning - 10:30 to be exact - with a planned 11:00 departure time. I started off with a light breakfast (a medium banana and a cup of Honey Nut Cheerios) while getting dressed and preparing my gear. Speaking of which, it seems like the stuff I take with me keeps growing and growing. I have Grendel, the iPod, phone, 1-3 packets of GU depending on how long I expect to be running, driver's license and other wallet-based items, keys, RoadID bracelet, and water bottle. That's quite a bit of stuff to be carrying around, and all of it is necessary. By 11:00 I was on the street waiting for Grendel to find some satellites to talk to, and once he did that it was time to take off.

Once again I started my run while the Seahawks were playing, so until I got over into Fremont it was like I was the only living person in the city. I tried to keep my mind focussed on one of my recently proclaimed 7 goals for my 37th year, but I'm afraid that my mind skitters around like a drop of water on a hot frying pan. I can't seem to focus on anything for long periods of time. Even writing these posts get broken up over several days.

The route was the same as last week's long run, so not much more to comment on there. Actually, the route was on the same path but not going as far as last week's run, so I didn't even see anything new. I saw the Wall of Death again this time sans skaters or homeless. There was a mandatory rest stop at the Fremont bridge. I say mandatory because just as I was running up to it, the gates came down and the bridge split down the middle and lifted to let some sailboats go through. It felt like it took 5 minutes, but it probably wasn't quite that long. Still, it allowed me to catch my breath for the next bit. I tried following the correct path for pedestrians this time, just for kicks. For the most part bike riders and pedestrians use the same path, but in some places the directions split us apart, usually to the detriment of the pedestrians. Our little paths (read: sidewalks) just aren't as nice as the bike path. They're not paved the same. They're narrow. They're right up against the street. Overall, I think I'll take the chance of some jerk on a bike yelling at me rather than follow directions from now on. Hell, I appeared to be the only pedestrian that even noticed we have a separate path anyway.

I was entirely over-dressed for this run. When I woke up it looked cold outside, and based on the temps we'd had all week and what I thought the weatherman said I put on my long sleeve shirt from the half marathon and some tights. Say what you want about tights, but sometimes there is a proper time and place for them. That was a little too much covering for me. I think the shirt was a good idea, but the tights just made me too warm. The legs are the part that gets the most movement anyway, so of course they're going to get warm. Too bad I didn't think of that before I went outside.

I hit the 5.5 mile mark, had my mid-run snack with some water, and turned around to go home. About a half mile back on the trail I saw a woman with a pretty dog sitting on the side of the trail and looking like they were posing for a picture, so, being the social runner that I apparently am, I made a comment about it. I intended to keep running, but she said something back, so I had to take out my headphones and find out what she wanted. It turned out that the dog was on the lam and she wanted to use my phone to call the owner. I called and left a message at the number on the tag, but I had no intention of hanging out with the pup until his owner came to claim him. As soon as I said we'd probably call the Seattle animal control people, she said she would take him to her house. As long as I can end my involvement with a phone call, I'm cool with that.

That was the last of my excitement. I didn't get any stops on the way back except for those that involve traffic lights. After it was over, I stopped at Starbucks for some coffee (post run snack of champions) and a donut. The guy behind the counter said I looked like I just got done running. I said "yeah, 11 miles." He was suitably impressed. Then he rang up my purchase, which came to $11.11. Coincidence? I think not